light

Abstract

One comprehensive light fixture: a. a light source for producing visible light, b. an electrical circuit for controlling the light source and c. a photocatalytic element (4) comprising a photocatalytic material to enable a photocatalytic reaction on its surface upon irradiation with visible light generated by the light source of the luminaire and / or by an external light source, wherein the photocatalyst material comprises tungsten trioxide, copper oxide, Bi2O3, and / or BiOBr.

Description

[0001] The technical field of the present disclosure generally relates to lighting devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to disinfecting lighting devices.

[0002] Lighting devices for providing light are well known. Disinfection lighting devices for generating ultraviolet (UV) radiation, or UV germicidal lamps, are also known. These lamps use UV light directly or in combination with a UV photocatalyst to kill germs. However, UV radiation is harmful to humans and animals, so special measures must be taken to reduce the health risks associated with the use of such lamps. For example, UV germicidal lamps are usually only activated for a short time, especially when people are away, and then switched off again. This allows bacteria and viruses to recover when people return. To avoid direct UV radiation of people, some lighting systems house the UV lamps in a container and provide special fans for air circulation.However, these measures cannot completely eliminate the risk of UV leakage and result in complex construction and high costs.

[0003] WO 2018 218 204 A1 describes a lighting device with a light-emitting diode module for emitting visible light and with a dome, the dome having a coating of photocatalytic titanium dioxide. US 2013 0 094 204 A1 describes a lighting device with an air purification function for degrading toxic organic compounds and destroying microbes in the environment. US 2018 0 117 195 A1 describes a diffusely luminous lighting device with a set of light sources and a light-guiding structure with a fluoropolymer layer. US 2006 0 280 660 A1 describes a photocatalytic air purifier with an ultraviolet light source and a photocatalyst.

[0004] An object of the present application is to provide a particularly simple and safe disinfection lighting device.

[0005] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a luminaire is provided. The luminaire comprises a light source, in particular an LED light source, for providing visible light, an electrical circuit, in particular a driver, for controlling the light source, and a photocatalytic element having a photocatalytic material for enabling a photocatalytic reaction on its surface upon irradiation with visible light generated by the light source of the luminaire and / or by an external light source, wherein the photocatalyst material comprises tungsten trioxide, copper oxide, Bi2O3, and / or BiOBr. The luminaire can be designed, in particular, as a desk lamp, light panel, light bulb, ceiling light, food storage light, and / or bedside lamp.

[0006] The photocatalytic element may, in particular, comprise a photocatalytic material or a photocatalyst that generates reactive radicals under the action of visible light. For example, the light may generate pairs of electrons and holes, and the electrons generated by the light may react with O2 to form chemically active anion radicals such as O2. - The holes, in turn, can generate chemically active OH radicals by reacting with water. Organic substances on its surface can be degraded by oxidation, ultimately forming carbon dioxide and water. Thus, the lamp can assist in the degradation of organic pollutants, sterilization, air purification, deodorization, and antifouling.

[0007] The photocatalyst material can provide a virtually unlimited source of hydroxide radicals that can react with organic substances and destroy germs, bacteria, and fungi. With growing consumer concerns about organic pollutants, bacteria, and viruses, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the disinfection lamp with a visible-light-activated photocatalyst can play an important role in slowing the spread of infectious diseases.

[0008] In particular, the absorption spectrum of the photocatalytic material can be in a wide wavelength range from 250 nm to 780 nm. Thus, unlike conventional photocatalysts, which can generate chemically active radicals under the influence of UV (ultraviolet) light, the photocatalytic element can be activated by visible light. In particular, the photocatalytic element of the lamp can be activated by both visible and UV light.

[0009] In the case of LED light sources, the efficiency of light generation in the UV spectral range can be lower than that of light generation in the visible light spectrum. Therefore, the use of a visible-light-activated photocatalytic element can increase the overall efficiency of the luminaire.

[0010] In some embodiments, the luminaire comprises an optical component for shaping the light generated by the light source, wherein the photocatalytic element is formed as part of the optical component and / or arranged on the optical component. The optical component may, in particular, comprise a lens, a diffuser, a reflector, or any combination thereof. The photocatalytic element may, in particular, be attached or applied to the optical component.

[0011] In some embodiments, the luminaire comprises a mechanical component, in particular a housing and / or a mounting element, wherein the photocatalytic element is formed as part of the mechanical component and / or arranged on the mechanical component. The mechanical component can in particular comprise a housing element, a fastening element, a decorative element, or any combination thereof. The photocatalytic element can in particular be attached or mounted on the mechanical component.

[0012] By arranging or attaching the photocatalytic element to the optical and / or mechanical component of the luminaire, any conventional luminaire, especially any interior luminaire, can be easily converted into a germicidal luminaire.

[0013] The photocatalytic element can comprise a foil or film containing a photocatalytic material. In particular, the foil containing the photocatalytic material can be arranged on an optical and / or mechanical component of the luminaire. Due to the foil shape, the photocatalytic material can be used particularly cost-effectively.

[0014] The film containing the photocatalytic material can be a coating film produced by spraying, brushing, dipping, and / or rolling. These techniques are suitable for producing films in a wide range of thicknesses.

[0015] The film of the photocatalytic material can, in particular, be a single-layer film of the photocatalytic material. The thickness of the film can be less than 0.1 mm.

[0016] In some embodiments, the film with the photocatalytic material comprises a protective coating layer and a layer of photocatalytic material. The protective coating layer may, in particular, comprise crystal-free silicon dioxide and / or water. The photocatalytic layer may, in particular, comprise titanium dioxide, water, and / or crystal-free silicon dioxide. The thickness of such a layer may be between 0.2 µm and 50 µm.

[0017] The photocatalytic material may be a composite material comprising a matrix or coating material and the photocatalytic material. The matrix material may, in particular, comprise polyurethane-acrylic copolymer, silicone-acrylic copolymer, silicone, and / or water.

[0018] By using the composite material with the matrix material and the photocatalyst material, the photocatalytic element can be easily formed on solid surfaces of the optical and / or mechanical components of the luminaire. The photocatalyst material can comprise tungsten trioxide, titanium dioxide, copper oxide, Bi2O3, BiOBr, and / or water. These materials can act as photocatalysts under the influence of visible light.

[0019] The light source may be an LED (light-emitting diode) light source that produces white light with a correlated color temperature in the range between 2200 K and 10000 K. Thus, the visible light produced by the light source can essentially cover the entire spectrum of the CCT (correlated color temperature) white light spectrum between the extremely warm light and the extremely cool light.

[0020] In the following description, details are provided to describe the embodiments of the present specification. However, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without such details.

[0021] Some parts of the embodiments have similar parts. The similar parts may have the same names or similar part numbers. The description of one part applies by reference to another similar part where appropriate, thereby reducing repetition of text without limiting the disclosure. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a luminaire according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a luminaire according to another embodiment.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a luminaire according to an embodiment. In the embodiments of Fig. 1, the luminaire 1 comprises an LED light source (not shown) and a driver (not shown) for controlling the LED light source. The luminaire 1 further comprises a mechanical component 2, in particular a housing part, and an optical element 3 or optical component. In this exemplary embodiment, the luminaire 1 is a ceiling luminaire, wherein the optical element 3 is an optical diffuser for generating diffused light. The luminaire further comprises a photocatalytic element 4 in the form of a film or coating applied to the optical element 3 and the housing of the luminaire 1.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a luminaire according to another embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, the lamp 1 is designed as a table lamp, comprising an LED light source (not shown) and a driver (not shown) for controlling the LED light source. The lamp 1 further comprises a housing 2 and an optical element 3. The desk lamp further comprises a base 5 for arranging the lamp 1 on a fixed surface, such as a desk surface, and an adjustable arm 6 for adjusting the position of the light source with respect to the base. In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 2, the lamp 1 also comprises a support 7 to which the adjustable arm 6 is attached. The lamp 1 of the Fig. 2 also includes a photocatalytic element 4 in the form of a film or coating applied to the optical element 3 and to the support 7 of the luminaire 1. The photocatalytic coating can also be applied to the housing 2, to the base 5, or to the arm of the luminaire 1.

[0024] The photocatalytic film can be applied by spraying, brushing, dipping, or rolling. The photocatalytic film can contain one or more photocatalytic materials that can react to visible light, in particular both visible light and UV light.

[0025] In particular, the photocatalytic material can have a composition with one or more compounds, in particular a two-component mixture of type A + B. The first component A is a photocatalytic material that can comprise tungsten trioxide, titanium dioxide, copper oxide, and / or water. The second component B is a coating material that comprises polyurethane-acrylic copolymer, silicone-acrylic copolymer, silicone, and / or water. In some embodiments, the coating film consists of a single layer of the mixture. The thickness of the coating film can be less than 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, the coating film comprises a protective layer with crystal-free silica or silicon dioxide and / or water and a photocatalytic layer with titanium dioxide, water, and / or crystal-free silica. The total layer thickness of the coating film can range from 0.2 µm to 50 µm.

[0026] The optical element 3 can be a diffuser, a lens, and / or a reflector. The photocatalytic element can be excited by both the visible light generated by the luminaire 1 and by external light, e.g., from the sun or another light source.

[0027] Applying such a coating to various components of the luminaire can help increase the photocatalytic area, extend the operating time of the photocatalytic elements, and destroy viruses and bacteria in the environment, resulting in a healthier working and / or living environment. Thus, the present principles enable the combination of lighting and sterilization, providing air purification that provides safe and sustained sterilization, allowing people to live and work normally in a healthier environment. Furthermore, by applying the photocatalyst to the housings, diffusers, and / or other components of the luminaires, higher photocatalyst efficiency can be achieved due to the increased surface area and proximity to the light source.

[0028] The photocatalytic coating can be a commercially available coating that exhibits photocatalytic properties under the influence of visible light. There are several suppliers on the market, such as Raze Technology Limited, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., and others.

[0029] The luminaires can be readily provided based on existing luminaires without requiring significant modification of the existing luminaire by applying the coating to the mechanical and / or optical elements of the luminaire, such as housing or body parts, diffusers, reflectors, and / or lenses. Furthermore, the application of the present principles is not limited to any specific lamp type, such as a ceiling light, incandescent light, desk lamp, panel lamp, cabinet light, convenience store lamp, bedside lamp, or other.

[0030] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that a wide variety of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a practical roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. Reference symbols and numbers 1 light 2 mechanical components 3 optical component 4 Photocatalytic element 5 Base 6 Adjustable arm 7 Support

Claims

[1] A luminaire comprising: a light source for generating visible light, b. an electrical circuit for controlling the light source and c. a photocatalytic element (4) having a photocatalytic material for enabling a photocatalytic reaction on its surface under irradiation with visible light generated by the light source of the lamp and / or by an external light source, wherein the photocatalyst material comprises tungsten trioxide, copper oxide, Bi2O3, and / or BiOBr. [2] Luminaire according to claim 1, wherein the luminaire (1) has an optical component (3) for shaping the light generated by the light source, and wherein the photocatalytic element (4) is formed as part of the optical component (3) and / or arranged on the optical component (3). [3] Luminaire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the luminaire has a mechanical component (2), in particular a housing and / or a fastening element, and wherein the photocatalytic element (4) is formed as part of the mechanical component (2) and / or is arranged on the mechanical component (2). [4] Luminaire according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the photocatalytic element (4) comprises a film with the photocatalytic material. [5] Luminaire according to claim 4, wherein the film with the photocatalytic material is a coating film produced by spraying, brushing, dipping and / or rolling. [6] A luminaire according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the film with the photocatalytic material is a single-layer film made of the photocatalytic material. [7] A luminaire according to any one of claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the film comprises a protective layer and a layer of photocatalytic material. [8] A luminaire according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the photocatalytic material is a composite material comprising a matrix material and the photocatalytic material. [9] Luminaire according to claim 6, wherein the matrix material comprises polyurethane-acrylic copolymer, silicone-acrylic copolymer, silicone and / or water. [10] Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is an LED light source producing a white light with a correlated color temperature in the range between 2200 K and 10000 K.

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